Page 71 - DemoZone Magazine Issue 003

ARTIST
SPOTLIGHT
[IRELAND]
Since an epiphany in 1995, DJ Bubbles, one of Ireland's most experienced, sophisticated and gifted underground House DJs, has been rocking residencies in Dublin's greatest clubs. From Colombia Mills and Spirit, his legendary Sunday nights @ POD and Switch, to his current 2014/15 residencies @ Pygmalion and the amazing Izakaya on Sundays. Renowned for his longer sets of 5 / 6hrs, Bubbles DJ style is a seamless journey, mixing all genres of House music with the experience of over 20yrs watching, listening and performing with some learning curve mistakes thrown in along the way. Soulful, deep, progressive, electronic, tech, whatever you call it. It’s always a trip and synonymous with a wicked night on the dancefloor. This diversity has brought him to play alongside and support the world’s biggest and best artists with Paul Oakenfold, Steve Lawler, Ashley Beedle, Fergie and Jon Marsh.
He’s performed clubs / bars /
festivals / beaches / parties throughout Ireland, UK, Europe, Australia, Japan, India, Malaysia and Thailand with a coveted 2004 residency at Bangkok’s famous Supper club. Recently moving with times and technology from a massive vinyl collection to digital, he’s also made a long awaited dive into production, collaborating with acclaimed Dublin disco / house producer Keep Schtum.
Zone Mags Mike Moggi Mannix tracked DJ Bubbles down to discuss his thoughts and views on where he and the Irish house music scene is at..
So Dermot it’s over 20 years since you first spun your decks, how did it all start, what attracted you to the Dance music scene, and in particular house?
Yeah Mike, in 1993 I returned to Ireland after 6yrs years living abroad in London and Munich. The House and dance scene was exploding at the time, and I landed my first residencies in the long gone Archies and Stables Bar in my home town of Carlow.
I very quickly moved to Dublin where I instantly immersed myself in the music, the vinyls, the DJs, the clubs and parties, and the good times. I would play everything at some stage of the night back then. Trance, Progressive, Techno, all the blueprint House Classics. And at a much faster tempo too. House music encompasses so much.
It took a few years more and many influences to develop the many different styles of House music I now play.
You have had and continue to have residencies in far off places like Goa in India and gained a growing following over the last few years, why do you think this is?
I’ve been lucky enough to have travelled a
DJ BUBBLES
lot through DJ-ing and I have a very special affinity with Asia. Some years ago I lived in Bangkok for over a year, and held residencies in Japan, Thailand, Malaysia and Australia. Lately I’ve been playing in Goa each winter and Iis a place I feel very much at home.
It’s a friendly, beautiful place, with a great musical and DJ community, not to mention the amazing food and climate, and I come back inspired each time I go there.
I’ve had amazing responses to all my sets there and it would be nice to think I’m gaining a following by bringing something very exciting, futuristic and fresh to House music in the home of Goa trance and I’m looking forward to returning and playing shows for a full season later this year.
Who would you love to work with in the studio?
There is just so many producers that produce the sounds and House music I love, there’s way too many to mention. Currently, to work with Ejeca, Mario Basanov, Alkalino or the absolute favourite legend Ashley Beedle, would be pretty incredible.
What drives you?
So many things Mike. The music is surely the most powerful source that drives me constantly. And also the unrelenting support that comes from my family, my close friends
and many dedicated followers who have shown me so much encouragement and support over the past 20 years.
How do you see the Irish house scene now?
The Irish club and DJ scene is still very much thriving in its own way with a lot of
diversity between the bigger 3 room clubs, tons of festivals, and the smaller, but booming underground bar / restaurant / afterhour / party scenes.
It’s on the production where the Irish House scene is really making an impact worldwide. The scene is really in its ascendancy. Irish producers are recognised global names now, with Ejeca, Mano le Tough, Matador, Alan Fitzpatrick, John Daly and Keep Schtum, to name a few , all internationally renowned, and a massive inspiration to a whole new generation of upcoming DJs and producers here at home. Watch out for the next generation.
What are your next big project / collaborations / Album plans for the future?
I’ve got heavy gig commitments this year with 4 different residencies in Dublin city currently on the go, Izakaya, Pygmalion, Ukiyo and The Green Hen. I’ve also gigs and mini tours planned for 2015 in Denmark, Spain, India and South America.
Since last year 2014, I’ve made the massive leap for a DJ into the studio collaborating on a House project with the very talented and successful Disco/House producer Keep Schtum.
Our first release was the soulful Real Change EP, which was picked up immediately and released by Paper Recordings, one of the UK’s most respected House labels, reaching No 3 in the Juno Club charts.
We’re currently working and focusing on finishing our second EP which were hoping to release later in the year.
CONNECT; www.soundcloud.com/djbubblesdublin Words by Mike Moggi Mannix
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